Nothing Finer Than This Diner

Avondale anchor The Fox Restaurant satisfies need for comfort food

The homemade corned beef hash was flavorful and crispy – perfect for sopping up the runny egg yolk.

Caron Streibich

The burgers are piled high. The Pittsburgher comes with French fries and a mound of creamy cole slaw. Pair it with your choice of side item for a filling lunch.

Caron Streibich

What's better than a side of French fries? A side of chili cheese fries at The Fox.

Caron Streibich

With plenty of swivel seats at the counter, you'll be close to the cooking action and the eclectic wall hangings.

Caron Streibich

A side of crisp bacon is the perfect complement to a plate of rich biscuits and gravy.

Caron Streibich

Fluffy and light, the short stack of pancakes goes best with a pat of butter and a generous drizzle of maple syrup.

Caron Streibich

The interior of this diner is plastered with photos, art and figurines.

Caron Streibich

Nestled between a frozen yogurt shop and a jewelry store, The Fox Restaurant has been an Avondale fixture for years.

Caron Streibich

Posted
Wednesday, October 9, 2013 12:03 am

THE FOX RESTAURANT

3580 St. Johns Ave., Avondale

387-2669

ABOUT THE BITE-SIZED BLOG

Caron Streibich covers dining out throughout Northeast Florida. If you have information about new restaurant openings, menu changes or other food-related news, contact her here. Streibich is also the host of our regular Folio Weekly Bite Club gatherings. Follow the Bite Club on Facebook or Twitter to learn more about it.

Pining for a sense of nostalgia coupled with simple diner food that satisfies? Head to the Shoppes of Avondale and straight to The Fox Restaurant, a diner that exudes 1950s charm coupled with a modern hipster twist. The interior is plastered with photos, art and figurines — my favorite is a Steve Urkel doll (queue the "Did I do thaaaaat?").

Though table seating is fairly limited at The Fox, there are plenty of swivel seats at the counter with a view of the open kitchen. Watch as your eggs are scrambled or your bacon is crisped. The entire right side of the restaurant is lined with comfortable booths, but keep in mind that that no one table can seat a party larger than five.

I'm a Southern girl raised on diner-style comfort food, so the corned beef hash with egg (cooked any way you like it), homefries (or grits, or fresh fruit) and biscuit or buttered toast were calling my name. The homemade hash was flavorful and crispy — perfect for sopping up my runny egg yolk. I drizzled honey and a bit of butter on the light and fluffy biscuit that came with the dish.

Another option guaranteed to warrant a late afternoon nap is an order of biscuits and gravy, with a side of fluffy pancakes. The gravy was thick, with plenty of sausage bits throughout.

The menu touts traditional breakfast items, like pancakes, waffles, French toast and an array of omelets, along with an assortment of lunch items including salads, sandwiches and cooked-to-order burgers. The aptly named Pittsburgher comes piled high with French fries and a mound of creamy cole slaw on top. Pair it with your choice of side item for a reasonably priced and filling lunch.

The diner is open daily, but if you're headed to The Fox on a weekend, prepare to wait — parking can be tricky and the line is often out the door. There's free coffee to pacify hungry guests as they wait, so sip some Joe and strike up a conversation with a potential new friend or two.